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Qayyum MF, Khan DES, Alghanem SMS, Sakit Alhaithloul HA, Alsudays IM, Rizwan M, Hong Yong JW. Agricultural waste-based modified biochars differentially affected the soil properties, growth, and nutrient accumulation by maize (Zea mays L.) plants. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:498. [PMID: 38834982 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05202-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Biochar (BC) is an organic compound formed by the pyrolysis of organic wastes. Application of BCs as soil amendments has many benefits including carbon sequestration, enhanced soil fertility and sustainable agriculture production. In the present study, we acidified the different BCs prepared from rice straw, rice husk, wheat straw, cotton stalk, poultry manure, sugarcane press mud and vegetable waste; following which, we applied them in a series of pot experiments. Comparisons were made between acidified and non- acidified BCs for their effects on seed germination, soil properties (EC, pH) nutrient contents (P, K, Na) and organic matter. The treatments comprised of a control, and all above-described BCs (acidified as well as non-acidified) applied to soil at the rate of 1% (w/w). The maize crop was selected as a test crop. The results showed that acidified poultry manure BC significantly improved germination percentage, shoot length, and biomass of maize seedlings as compared to other BCs and their respective control plants. However, acidified BCs caused a significant decrease in nutrient contents (P, K, Na) of soil,maize seedlings, and the soil organic matter contents as compared to non- acidified BCs. But when compared with control treatments, all BCs treatments (acidified and non-acidified) delivered higher levels of nutrients and organic matter contents. It was concluded that none of the BCs (acidified and non-acidified) had caused negative effect on soil conditions and growth of maize. In addition, the acidification of BC prior to its application to alkaline soils might had altered soil chemistry and delivered better maize growth. Moving forward, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of modified BCs on nutrient dynamics in different soils. In addition, the possible effects of BC application timings, application rates, particle size, and crop species have to be evaluated systemtically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Farooq Qayyum
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Dur-E-Sameen Khan
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Jean Wan Hong Yong
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, 23456, Sweden.
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Liang D, Ning Y, Ji C, Zhang Y, Wu H, Ma H, Zhang J, Wang J. Biochar and Manure Co-Application Increases Rice Yield in Low Productive Acid Soil by Increasing Soil pH, Organic Carbon, and Nutrient Retention and Availability. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:973. [PMID: 38611502 PMCID: PMC11013642 DOI: 10.3390/plants13070973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, overuse of chemical fertilization has led to soil acidification and decreased rice yield productivity in southern China. Biochar and manure co-application remediation may have positive effects on rice yield and improve acid paddy soil fertility. This study was conducted to understand the effects of co-application of wood biochar and pig manure on rice yield and acid paddy soil quality (0-40 cm soil layers) in a 5-year field experiment. The experiment consisted of six treatments: no biochar and no fertilizer (CK); biochar only (BC); mineral fertilizer (N); mineral fertilizer combined with biochar (N + BC); manure (25% manure N replacing fertilizer N) combined with mineral fertilizer (MN); and manure combined with mineral fertilizer and biochar (MN + BC). Total nitrogen application for each treatment was the same at 270 kg nitrogen ha-1y-1, and 30 t ha-1 biochar was added to the soil only in the first year. After five years, compared with N treatments, N + BC, MN, and MN + BC treatments increased the rice yield rate to 2.8%, 4.3%, and 6.3%, respectively, by improving soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphate under a 0-40 cm soil layer. MN + BC had the strongest resistance to soil acidification among all the treatments. The interaction between fertilizers and biochar application was significant (p < 0.05) in rice yield, soil electrical conductivity (10-20 cm), and soil available phosphate (20-40 cm). Principal component analysis indicated that the effect of manure on soil property was stronger than that of biochar in the 0-40 cm soil layer. The overall rice yield and soil fertility decreased in the order of biochar + mineral fertilizer + manure > mineral fertilizer + manure > biochar + mineral fertilizer > mineral fertilizer > biochar > control. These results suggest that biochar and manure co-application is a long-term viable strategy for improving acid soil productivity due to its improvements in soil pH, organic carbon, nutrient retention, and availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Liang
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yunwang Ning
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Cheng Ji
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yongchun Zhang
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Huashan Wu
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Hongbo Ma
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Jianwei Zhang
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Jidong Wang
- Scientific Observatory and Experimental Station of Arable Land Conservation of Jiangsu Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil improvement and Utilization (Coastal Saline-Alkali Lands), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
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Khan S, Irshad S, Mehmood K, Hasnain Z, Nawaz M, Rais A, Gul S, Wahid MA, Hashem A, Abd_Allah EF, Ibrar D. Biochar Production and Characteristics, Its Impacts on Soil Health, Crop Production, and Yield Enhancement: A Review. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:166. [PMID: 38256720 PMCID: PMC10821463 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Rapid urban expansion and a booming population are placing immense pressure on our agricultural systems, leading to detrimental impacts on soil fertility and overall health. Due to the extensive use of agrochemicals in agriculture, the necessity to meet the expanding demand for food has also resulted in unsustainable farming practices. Around the world, biochar, a multipurpose carbonaceous material, is being used to concurrently solve issues with enhancing soil fertility, plant growth, and development under both normal and stressful circumstances. It improves water retention, fosters nutrient absorption, and promotes microbial activity, creating a fertile environment that supports sustainable and resilient agriculture. Additionally, biochar acts as a carbon sink, contributing to long-term carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change impacts. The major benefit of biochar is that it helps the adsorption process with its highly porous structures and different functional groups. Understanding the elements involved in biochar formation that determine its characteristics and adsorptive capacity is necessary to assure the viability of biochar in terms of plant productivity and soil health, particularly biological activity in soil. This paper focuses on the development, composition, and effects of biochar on soil fertility and health, and crop productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahbaz Khan
- Colorado Water Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Sohail Irshad
- Department of Agronomy, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan 64200, Pakistan
| | - Kashf Mehmood
- Department of Biological Sciences, Superior University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Zuhair Hasnain
- Department of Agronomy, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Nawaz
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan 64200, Pakistan
| | - Afroz Rais
- Department of Botany, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Safia Gul
- Department of Botany, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | | | - Abeer Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Danish Ibrar
- Crop Science Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad 45500, Pakistan
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Shah SH, Hussain MB, Haider G, Haq TU, Zahir ZA, Danish S, Paray BA, Kammann C. Acidified manure and nitrogen-enriched biochar showed short-term agronomic benefits on cotton-wheat cropping systems under alkaline arid field conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22504. [PMID: 38110507 PMCID: PMC10728090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48996-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Application of organic residues such as farm manure and biochar in various agricultural environments have shown positive effects on soil carbon sequestration. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the agronomical benefits of a single and small dose of biochar and farm manure in arid alkaline soils. Therefore, a field experiment with the given treatments (1) control (no amendment), (2) acidified manure (AM) at 300 kg ha-1, (3) nitrogen (N) enriched biochar (NeB) at 3 Mg ha-1, and (4) an equal combination of AM + NeB (150 kg ha-1 AM + 1.5 Mg ha-1 NeB)) was conducted in a typical cotton-wheat cropping system. A parallel laboratory incubation study with the same amendments was carried out to account for soil carbon dioxide emission (CO2). The N enrichment of biochar and its co-application with acidified manure increased soil mineral N (NO3- and NH4+) in the topsoil (0-15 cm), and increased total N uptake (25.92% to 69.91%) in cotton over control, thus reducing N losses and increased uptake over control. Compared to the control, co-application of AM + NeB significantly improved soil N and P bioavailability, leading to increased plant biomass N, P, and K (32%, 40%, 6%, respectively) uptake over control. The plant's physiological and growth improvements [chlorophyll (+ 28.2%), height (+ 47%), leaf area (+ 17%), number of bolls (+ 7%), and average boll weight (+ 8%)] increased the agronomic yield in the first-season crop cotton by 25%. However, no positive response was observed in the second season wheat crop. This field study improved our understanding that co-application of acidified manure and N-enriched biochar in small dose can be a strategy to achieve short-term agronomic benefits and carbon sequestration in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suleman Haider Shah
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Baqir Hussain
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
| | - Ghulam Haider
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Ul Haq
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Zahir Ahmad Zahir
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Subhan Danish
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Bilal Ahamad Paray
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Claudia Kammann
- Climate Change Research for Special Crops, Department of Applied Ecology, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade Str. 1, 65366, Geisenheim, Germany
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Dróżdż D, Malińska K, Wystalska K, Meers E, Robles-Aguilar A. The Influence of Poultry Manure-Derived Biochar and Compost on Soil Properties and Plant Biomass Growth. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:6314. [PMID: 37763591 PMCID: PMC10533169 DOI: 10.3390/ma16186314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Promising methods for managing poultry manure (PM) include converting poultry manure through pyrolysis to biochar, which can be used for soil applications. The overall goal of this study was to determine the effects of poultry manure-derived biochar and compost on the soil and growth of cherry tomatoes. The biochar obtained at 475 °C was characterized by a relatively high organic matter content of 39.47% and nitrogen content of 3.73%, while it had the lowest C/N ratio of 8.18. According to the recommendations of the EBC, the biochar obtained at 475 °C demonstrated the most beneficial effects in terms of fertilizing potential. The composting of poultry manure with the straw was successful, and the limit of 60 °C was exceeded, which allowed for the hygienization of the compost. The produced compost and biochar are sanitary safe and do not exceed the limits of heavy metal content. The lowest plant biomass was obtained from growing medium A with 3.6 g wet weight (0.24 g dry weight). The measurements of the height of cherry tomatoes showed that growing media D, E, and F allowed the plants to obtain from 602 to 654 mm in height.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danuta Dróżdż
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Brzeźnicka 60A, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland; (K.M.); (K.W.)
| | - Krystyna Malińska
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Brzeźnicka 60A, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland; (K.M.); (K.W.)
| | - Katarzyna Wystalska
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Brzeźnicka 60A, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland; (K.M.); (K.W.)
| | - Erik Meers
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Ana Robles-Aguilar
- BETA Technological Center Futurlab, Can Baumann Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain;
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Doherty JR, Roberts JA. Topdressing Biochar Compost Mixtures and Biological Control Organism Applications Suppress Foliar Pathogens in Creeping Bentgrass Fairway Turf. PLANT DISEASE 2023; 107:2346-2351. [PMID: 36627801 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-07-22-1629-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Biochar, compost, and biological control agents can suppress pathogens on their own; however, their reliability and efficacy are not as acceptable as synthetic fungicides commonly used to suppress pathogens. A multiyear field study was initiated to evaluate combinations of monthly applications of a biochar compost mixture and weekly or biweekly Bacillus subtilis QST713 applications for their ability to suppress foliar pathogens on a creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) fairway and to measure their impact on strain QST713 establishment. Disease severity and turfgrass quality were measured every 14 days throughout the growing season. Populations of strain QST713 were quantified by quantitative PCR analysis on DNA extracted from foliage samples collected throughout the trial. Biochar compost mixture applications increased turfgrass quality in both years of the study and reduced dollar spot (Clarireedia jacksonii Salgado-Salazar) severity in 2021. Weekly strain QST713 applications reduced copper spot (Gloeocercospora sorghi D. C. Bain & Edgerton) severity compared with biweekly applications and the nontreated control in 2020, yet monthly biochar compost mixture with weekly strain QST713 applications completely suppressed copper spot in 2021. Populations of strain QST713 were highest in weekly treated plots, and monthly biochar compost mixture applications did not affect strain QST713 establishment. Although there was not an interaction between biochar compost mixture and strain QST713 applications, implementing both in a season-long program will benefit turfgrass health and reduce disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Doherty
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Joseph A Roberts
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
- Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, Clemson University, Florence, SC 29506
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Hou J, Pugazhendhi A, Sindhu R, Vinayak V, Thanh NC, Brindhadevi K, Lan Chi NT, Yuan D. An assessment of biochar as a potential amendment to enhance plant nutrient uptake. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113909. [PMID: 35850292 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In a desperate attempt to find organic alternatives to synthetic fertilizers, agricultural scientists are increasingly using biochar as a soil amendment. Using chemical fertilizers results in enormous financial burdens and chronic health problems for plants and soils. Global concerns have also increased over the prolonged consumption of foods grown with artificial fertilizers and growth promotors. This adversely affects the environment and the welfare of humans, animals, and other living organisms. This way, organic biofertilizers have established a sustainable farming system. In such a context, biochar is gaining much attention among scientists as it may improve the overall performance of plants; in particular, crops have been optimistically cultivated with the addition of various sources. Field experiments have been conducted with multiple plant-based biochars and animal manure-based biochar. Plants receive different essential nutrients from biochar due to their physicochemical properties. Despite extensive research on biochar's effects on plant growth, yield, and development, it is still unknown how biochar promotes such benefits. Plant performance is affected by many factors in response to biochar amendment, but biochar's effect on nutrient uptake is not widely investigated. We attempted this review by examining how biochar affects nutrient uptake in various crop plants based on its amendment, nutrient composition, and physicochemical and biological properties. A greater understanding and optimization of biochar-plant nutrient interactions will be possible due to this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Hou
- School of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
- Emerging Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications Research Group, School of Engineering and Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
| | - Raveendran Sindhu
- Department of Food Technology, T K M Institute of Technology, Kollam, 691505, Kerala, India
| | - Vandana Vinayak
- Diatom Nano Engineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, 470003, India
| | - Nguyen Chi Thanh
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, Ho Chi Minh City, 70000, Viet Nam
| | - Kathirvel Brindhadevi
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research (CFTR), Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Nguyen Thuy Lan Chi
- School of Engineering and Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
| | - Deyi Yuan
- School of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China.
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Impact of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Biochar Enriched with Chicken Manure Extract on Phosphorus Retention in Sandy Soil. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su131910851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A 45-day incubation and leaching experiments was conducted to determine the effect of different rates (0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 t ha−1) of enriched empty fruit bunches biochar (EEFB) and inorganic fertilizer (91 kg ha−1 triple superphosphate—TSP) on the availability and leaching losses of phosphorus from sandy soil (tin tailing soil). The treatments rates for the study were designated as T1—without fertilizer (control), T2—inorganic fertilizer treatment using TSP and T3, T4, T5, and T6, which refers to EEFB rate of 1, 2, 3, and 5 t ha−1, respectively. The enriched biochar was prepared by shaking biochar with chicken manure extract for 24 h. The addition of EEFB to the soils was found to increase pH of the soil compared to control and inorganic fertilizer treatment. After 45 days of incubation, the percentage increase in available P recorded in EEFB treatments were 1.6, 2.9, 2.8, and 4.1%, whereas for control treatment and inorganic fertilizer treatment, the available phosphorus was found to reduce by 10% and 83%, respectively. Loss of phosphorus via leaching in the soil was higher in EEFB treatments compared to control. However, the highest phosphorus leaching among all treatments in this study was recorded in inorganic fertilizer treatments. From the study, it was observed that biochar can be used to recapture phosphorus from chicken manure extract for transport to the soil, thereby reducing problems associated with chicken manure application.
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Bilias F, Nikoli T, Kalderis D, Gasparatos D. Towards a Soil Remediation Strategy Using Biochar: Effects on Soil Chemical Properties and Bioavailability of Potentially Toxic Elements. TOXICS 2021; 9:184. [PMID: 34437502 PMCID: PMC8402515 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9080184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is considered one of the most severe environmental threats, while among remediation strategies, research on the application of soil amendments has received important consideration. This review highlights the effects of biochar application on soil properties and the bioavailability of potentially toxic elements describing research areas of intense current and emerging activity. Using a visual scientometric analysis, our study shows that between 2019 and 2020, research sub-fields like earthworm activities and responses, greenhouse gass emissions, and low molecular weight organic acids have gained most of the attention when biochar was investigated for soil remediation purposes. Moreover, biomasses like rice straw, sewage sludge, and sawdust were found to be the most commonly used feedstocks for biochar production. The effect of biochar on soil chemistry and different mechanisms responsible for PTEs' immobilization with biochar, are also briefly reported. Special attention is also given to specific PTEs most commonly found at contaminated soils, including Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, and As, and therefore are more extensively revised in this paper. This review also addresses some of the issues in developing innovative methodologies for engineered biochars, introduced alongside some suggestions which intend to form a more focused soil remediation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotis Bilias
- Soil Science Laboratory, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Thomai Nikoli
- Laboratory of Soil Science and Plant Diagnostics, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, 73100 Chania, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Kalderis
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 73133 Chania, Greece;
| | - Dionisios Gasparatos
- Laboratory of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
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Influence of Acidified Biochar on CO2–C Efflux and Micronutrient Availability in an Alkaline Sandy Soil. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13095196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Biochar, an alkaline carbonaceous substance resulting from the thermal pyrolysis of biomass, reportedly enhances the micronutrient availability in acidic soils with little or no effect on alkaline soils. In this study, biochars were produced from poultry manure (PM) at 350 °C and 550 °C (BC350 and BC550 respectively). The acidified biochars (ABC350 and ABC550, respectively) were incorporated into an alkaline sandy soil, and their effects on the soil micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) availability, and CO2–C efflux were investigated in a 30-day incubation study. The treatments (PM, BC350, BC550, ABC350, and ABC550) were administered in triplicate to 100 g soil at 0%, 1%, and 3% (w/w). Relative to the poultry manure treatment, acidification drastically reduced the pH of BC350 and BC550 by 3.13 and 4.28 units, respectively, and increased the micronutrient availability of the studied soil. Furthermore, the biochars (both non-acidified and acidified) reduced the CO2 emission compared to that of the poultry manure treatment. After 1% treatment with BC550 and ABC550, the CO2 emissions from the soil were 89.6% and 91.4% lower, respectively, than in the 1% poultry manure treatment. In summary, acidified biochar improved the micronutrient availability in alkaline soil, and when produced at higher temperature, can mitigate the CO2 emissions of soil carbon sequestration.
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Comparing Biochar-Swine Manure Mixture to Conventional Manure Impact on Soil Nutrient Availability and Plant Uptake—A Greenhouse Study. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10040372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The use of swine manure as a source of plant nutrients is one alternative to synthetic fertilizers. However, conventional manure application with >90% water and a low C:N ratio results in soil C loss to the atmosphere. Our hypothesis was to use biochar as a manure nutrient stabilizer that would slowly release nutrients to plants upon biochar-swine manure mixture application to soil. The objectives were to evaluate the impact of biochar-treated swine manure on soil total C, N, and plant-available macro- and micronutrients in greenhouse-cultivated corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Neutral pH red oak (RO), highly alkaline autothermal corn stover (HAP), and mild acidic Fe-treated autothermal corn stover (HAPE) biomass were pyrolyzed to prepare biochars. Each biochar was surface-applied to swine manure at a 1:4 (biochar wt/manure wt) ratio to generate mixtures of manure and respective biochars (MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE). Conventional manure (M) control and manure-biochar mixtures were then applied to the soil at a recommended rate. Corn and soybean were grown under these controls and treatments (S, M, MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE) to evaluate the manure-biochar impact on soil quality, plant biomass yield, and nutrient uptake. Soil organic matter significantly (<0.05) increased in all manure-biochar treatments; however, no change in soil pH or total N was observed under any treatment. No difference in soil ammonium between treatments was identified. There was a significant decrease in soil Mehlich3 (M3) P and KCl extractable soil NO3− for all manure-biochar treatments compared to the conventional M. However, the plant biomass nutrient concentrations were not significantly different from control manure. Moreover, an increasing trend of plant total N and decreasing trend of P in the plant under all biochar-manure treatments than the controls were noted. This observation suggests that the presence of biochar is capable of influencing the soil N and P in such a way as not to lose those nutrients at the early growth stages of the plant. In general, no statistical difference in corn or soybean biomass yield and plant nutrient uptake for N, P, and K was observed. Interestingly, manure-biochar application to soil significantly diluted the M3 extractable soil Cu and Zn concentrations. The results attribute that manure-biochar has the potential to be a better soil amendment than conventional manure application to the soil.
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Azeem M, Hale L, Montgomery J, Crowley D, McGiffen ME. Biochar and compost effects on soil microbial communities and nitrogen induced respiration in turfgrass soils. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242209. [PMID: 33253199 PMCID: PMC7703933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined the effect of a labile soil amendment, compost, and recalcitrant biochar on soil microbial community structure, diversity, and activity during turfgrass establishment. Two application rates of biochar (B1 at 12.5 t ha-1and B2 at 25 t ha-1), a 5 centimeter (cm) green waste compost treatment (CM) in top soil, a treatment with 12.5 t ha-1 biochar and 5 cm compost (B1+CM), and an unamended control (CK) treatment were prepared and seeded with tall fescue. Overall, results of phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) profiling and Illumina high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes amplified from soil DNA revealed significant shifts in microbial community structures in the compost amended soils whereas in biochar amended soils communities were more similar to the control, unamended soil. Similarly, increases in enzymatic rates (6-56%) and nitrogen-induced respiration (94%) were all largest in compost amended soils, with biochar amended soils exhibiting similar patterns to the control soils. Both biochar and compost amendments impacted microbial community structures and functions, but compost amendment, whether applied alone or co-applied with biochar, exhibited the strongest shifts in the microbial community metrics examined. Our results suggest application of compost to soils in need of microbiome change (reclamation projects) or biochar when the microbiome is functioning and long-term goals such as carbon sequestration are more desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azeem
- Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Lauren Hale
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MEM); (LH)
| | - Jonathan Montgomery
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - David Crowley
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Milton E. McGiffen
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MEM); (LH)
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Lu Y, Silveira ML, O'Connor GA, Vendramini JMB, Erickson JE, Li YC, Cavigelli M. Biochar impacts on nutrient dynamics in a subtropical grassland soil: 1. Nitrogen and phosphorus leaching. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2020; 49:1408-1420. [PMID: 33016442 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the numerous benefits of biosolids, concerns over nutrient losses restrict the extent to which biosolids can be beneficially reused. We evaluated the effectiveness of biochar in controlling the lability of nutrients in agricultural land. This study was designed to investigate the potential impacts of co-applying biochar with biosolids or inorganic fertilizer on N and P leaching losses. A companion paper focuses on greenhouse gas responses. Nutrients were surface applied as biosolids (aerobically digested Class B) and inorganic fertilizer (ammonium nitrate and triple superphosphate) to an established perennial pasture at equivalent annual rates typical of field practices. Biochar was applied at an annual rate of 20 Mg ha-1 . Leachate N and P were monitored using passive-capillary drainage lysimeters. Results demonstrated significant temporal variability in leachate N and P, with larger pulses generally occurring during periods of high water table levels or after intensive rainfall. Inorganic fertilizer generally resulted in greater leachate N and P losses than biosolids. No differences in leachate N and P losses between biosolids and control were observed. Approximately 1% of applied N was lost via leaching from biosolids treatments vs. 16% for inorganic fertilizer. Regardless of the P source, negligible (0.1-0.2% of applied P), cumulative P leaching occurred during the 3-yr study. Biochar had no effect on P leaching but reduced N leaching from treatments receiving inorganic fertilizer by 60%. Prudent nutrient management is possible even on biosolids-amended Spodosols with high water tables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Lu
- Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Univ. of Florida, Ona, FL, 33865, USA
| | - Maria Lucia Silveira
- Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Univ. of Florida, Ona, FL, 33865, USA
| | - George A O'Connor
- Soil and Water Sciences Dep., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Joao M B Vendramini
- Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Univ. of Florida, Ona, FL, 33865, USA
| | - John E Erickson
- Agronomy Dep., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Yuncong C Li
- Dep. of Soil and Water Sciences, Tropical Research and Education Center, Univ. of Florida, Homestead, FL, 33031, USA
| | - Michel Cavigelli
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab., Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
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Farkas É, Feigl V, Gruiz K, Vaszita E, Fekete-Kertész I, Tolner M, Kerekes I, Pusztai É, Kari A, Uzinger N, Rékási M, Kirchkeszner C, Molnár M. Long-term effects of grain husk and paper fibre sludge biochar on acidic and calcareous sandy soils - A scale-up field experiment applying a complex monitoring toolkit. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 731:138988. [PMID: 32438089 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biochar is produced from a wide range of organic materials by pyrolysis, specifically for improvement of poor quality soils. One of the main issues nowadays in studying biochar as soil amendment is to upscale experiments and move from short-term, laboratory conditions to long-term field trials. This paper presents a long-term field study, being the final step of a scale-up technology development, on grain husk and paper fibre sludge biochar application for soil improvement with focus on two degraded soil types of a temperate region. The effects of biochar on an acidic and a calcareous sandy agricultural soil were studied applying a complex approach including physico-chemical, biological and ecotoxicological methods. Our study demonstrated that the applied biochar had positive direct and indirect influences on the acidic sandy soil, but these effects were different in terms of extent and time. 30 t/ha biochar addition improved the pH of the acidic sandy soil by 24% and also increased significantly the nutrient concentrations (P2O5 by 68%, K2O by 11% and organic matter by 33%), and the water-holding capacity after 30 months. Furthermore, biochar addition improved also the microbiological activity and diversity in the acidic sandy soil. Biochar application did not induce any negative effects. Biochar had no toxic effect on the plants and the biochar-treated soil provided a more liveable habitat for soil living animals than the untreated acidic sandy soil. The favourable biochar-mediated influences on soil properties were manifested mainly in the acidic sandy soil, proving that the biochar-related advantages have to be verified for different soil types. The benefits of grain husk and paper fibre sludge biochar application in an acidic sandy soil were confirmed on the long term by the applied tiered approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva Farkas
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary.
| | - Viktória Feigl
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - Katalin Gruiz
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - Emese Vaszita
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Fekete-Kertész
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - Mária Tolner
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - Ivett Kerekes
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - Éva Pusztai
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Chemical and Environmental Process Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
| | - András Kari
- Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Microbiology, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány P. sétány 1/C, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Uzinger
- Institute for Soil Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Herman Ottó street 15, Hungary
| | - Márk Rékási
- Institute for Soil Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Herman Ottó street 15, Hungary
| | - Csaba Kirchkeszner
- Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány P. sétány 1/A, Hungary
| | - Mónika Molnár
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Hungary
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15
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Reduction of Nutrient Leaching Potential in Coarse-Textured Soil by Using Biochar. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12072012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Loss of nutrients and organic carbon (OC) through leaching or erosion may degrade soil and water quality, which in turn could lead to food insecurity. Adding biochar to soil can effectively improve soil stability, therefore, evaluating the effects of biochar on OC and nutrient retention and leaching is critical. Methods: We conducted a 42-day column leaching experiment by using sandy loam soil samples mixed with 2% of biochar pyrolyzed from Honduran mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) wood sawdust at 300 °C (WB300) and 600 °C (WB600) and a control sample. Leaching was achieved by flushing the soil column on day 4 and every week during the 42-day experiment and adding a water volume for each flushing equivalent to the field water capacity. Results: Biochar application increased the final soil pH and OC, NH4+-N, NO3−-N, available P concentrations but not exchangeable K concentrations. In particular, WB600 exhibited superior performance in alleviating soil acidification; WB300 engendered high NO3−-N concentrations. Biochar application effectively retained water in soil and inhibited the leaching of the aforementioned nutrients and dissolved OC. WB300 reduced NH4+-N and K leaching by 30%, and WB600 reduced P leaching by 68%. Conclusions: Biochar application can improve nutrient retention and reduce the leaching potential of soils and connected water bodies.
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Ali I, He L, Ullah S, Quan Z, Wei S, Iqbal A, Munsif F, Shah T, Xuan Y, Luo Y, Tianyuan L, Ligeng J. Biochar addition coupled with nitrogen fertilization impacts on soil quality, crop productivity, and nitrogen uptake under double‐cropping system. Food Energy Secur 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/fes3.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Izhar Ali
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Liang He
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Saif Ullah
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Zhao Quan
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Shangqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Anas Iqbal
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Fazal Munsif
- Department of Agronomy Faculty of Crop Production Sciences University of Agriculture Peshawar Peshawar Pakistan
| | - Tariq Shah
- Department of Agronomy Faculty of Crop Production Sciences University of Agriculture Peshawar Peshawar Pakistan
| | - Ying Xuan
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Yuqiong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Li Tianyuan
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
| | - Jiang Ligeng
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems College of Agriculture Guangxi University Nanning China
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Mclennon E, Solomon JKQ, Neupane D, Davison J. Biochar and nitrogen application rates effect on phosphorus removal from a mixed grass sward irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 715:137012. [PMID: 32041056 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This 2-year (2017 and 2018) field study evaluated biochar and nitrogen application rates effect on herbage phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) removal from a mixed-grass sward of tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort] and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) irrigated with treated wastewater. Treatments used in this study carried out at the Main Station Field Laboratory, Reno, NV were three biochar application rates (0, 8.9, and 17.8 Mg/ha), and three N rates (0, 80, and 120 kg N/ha) arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial in a randomized complete block design experiment with four replications of each treatment combination. Responses were considered different P < 0.05. There was a linear increased in soil volumetric water content as biochar rate increased from 0 to 17.9 Mg/ha. However, biochar application rate did not affect the quantity of biomass produced, forage tissue P and N concentrations, P and N removal or interact with the other experimental variables of N rate and year to influence the response variables. There was, however, an N rate effect (P < 0.05) on biomass production and it was greater for the 80 and 120 kg N rate (average = 8.3 Mg DM/ha) relative to the 0 kg N/ha rate (6.0 Mg DM/ha). Further, cumulative P removal for the 80 and 120 kg N rate (average = 48.9 kg/ha) was greater than the 0 kg N/ha rate (38.1 kg/ha), and cumulative N removal was in the order 120 kg N/ha (321.1 kg/ha) > 80 kg N/ha (267.4 kg/ha) > 0 kg N/ha (187.8 kg/ha). There was a trend for a biochar × N rate interaction on soil P concentration and it tended to be greater for the combinations 8.9 and 17.8 Mg/ha biochar rates and 80 and 120 kg N/ha rates compared to the unamended control. Even though our study did not reveal a definitive effect of biochar on the major response parameters (biomass, tissue P and N concentrations) evaluated, the trend for a biochar × N rate interaction on soil P concentration offers hope that biochar-amended soils coupled with appropriate N fertilization will be effective in P retention on agricultural landscapes irrigated with treated wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Everald Mclennon
- Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Juan K Q Solomon
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Mailstop 202, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
| | - Dhurba Neupane
- Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Jason Davison
- University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 111 Sheckler Road, Fallon, NV 89406, USA
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18
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Espinosa NJ, Moore DJP, Rasmussen C, Fehmi JS, Gallery RE. Woodchip and biochar amendments differentially influence microbial responses, but do not enhance plant recovery in disturbed semiarid soils. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Noelle J. Espinosa
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona PO Box 210137 Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
| | - David J. P. Moore
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona PO Box 210137 Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
| | - Craig Rasmussen
- Department of Environmental Science University of Arizona PO Box 210038 Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
| | - Jeffrey S. Fehmi
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona PO Box 210137 Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
| | - Rachel E. Gallery
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona PO Box 210137 Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Arizona PO Box 210088 Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
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Manolikaki I, Diamadopoulos E. Agronomic potential of biochar prepared from brewery byproducts. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 255:109856. [PMID: 31765950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work investigated the effect of biochar produced from brewery byproducts, spent grain and surplus yeast on the physicochemical characteristics of a calcareous loam soil and plant growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Maize is a plant which needs high nitrogen fertilization, while the effect of acidic or neutral biochars on alkaline calcareous soils has only been assessed in a few studies. The effect of biochars on dry weight, as well as the level of macro- and micronutrients in soil, and above- and belowground plant tissues, were investigated, in a 30 day experiment after seedling emergence of maize (Zea mays L.), in the presence and absence of nitrogen fertilization. The results indicated that biochar from organic brewery by-products significantly increased the dry weight of the aboveground part of the plant by 59-186%, relative to the control, without the addition of inorganic N fertilization, and by 46-157% with the addition of inorganic N fertilization. The dry weight of the belowground plant tissues significantly increased by 83-92% and 46-106%, relative to the control, with or without the addition of inorganic N fertilization, respectively. Biochar addition, especially at 5% application rate individually or in a mixture, significantly increased the phosphorus content of plant tissues. The content of potassium in the plants was affected mainly by the addition of biochar derived from surplus yeast, while the concentration of calcium and magnesium in plant tissues was positively affected by spent grain biochar, in absence of inorganic nitrogen fertilization. Addition of biochars produced from brewery byproducts improved soil fertility parameters, particularly the contents of total organic carbon (by 133% and 118% with or without fertilization, respectively), total nitrogen (by 120% and 81% respectively) and available phosphorus in the studied loam calcareous soil. Overall, biochar from brewery wastes showed the potential to enhance plant growth and nutrient availability, thus it is a promising organic fertilizer for sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Manolikaki
- School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, 73100, Chania, Greece
| | - Evan Diamadopoulos
- School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, 73100, Chania, Greece.
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Purakayastha TJ, Bera T, Bhaduri D, Sarkar B, Mandal S, Wade P, Kumari S, Biswas S, Menon M, Pathak H, Tsang DCW. A review on biochar modulated soil condition improvements and nutrient dynamics concerning crop yields: Pathways to climate change mitigation and global food security. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 227:345-365. [PMID: 30999175 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The beneficial role of biochar on improvement of soil quality, C sequestration, and enhancing crop yield is widely reported. As such there is not much consolidated information available linking biochar modulated soil condition improvement and soil nutrient availability on crop yields. The present review paper addresses the above issues by compilation of world literature on biochar and a new dimension is introduced in this review by performing a meta-analysis of published data by using multivariate statistical analysis. Hence this review is a new in its kind and is useful to the broad spectrum of readers. Generally, alkalinity in biochar increases with increase in pyrolysis temperature and majority of the biochar is alkaline in nature except a few which are acidic. The N content in many biochar was reported to be more than 4% as well as less than 0.5%. Poultry litter biochar is a rich source of P (3.12%) and K (7.40%), while paper mill sludge biochar is higher in Ca content (31.1%) and swine solids biochar in Zn (49810 mg kg-1), and Fe (74800 mg kg-1) contents. The effect of biochar on enhancing soil pH was higher in Alfisol, Ferrosol and Acrisol. Soil application of biochar could on an average increase (78%), decrease (16%), or show no effect on crop yields under different soil types. Biochar produced at a lower pyrolysis temperature could deliver greater soil nutrient availabilities than that prepared at higher temperature. Principal component analysis (PCA) of available data shows an inverse relationship between [pyrolysis temperature and soil pH], and [biochar application rate and soil cation exchange capacity]. The PCA also suggests that the original soil properties and application rate strongly control crop yield stimulations via biochar amendments. Finally, biochar application shows net soil C gains while also serving for increased plant biomass production that strongly recommends biochar as a useful soil amendment. Therefore, the application of biochar to soils emerges as a 'win-win strategy' for sustainable waste management, climate change mitigation and food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Purakayastha
- Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India.
| | - T Bera
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Debarati Bhaduri
- ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753006, Odisha, India
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Sanchita Mandal
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Peter Wade
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Savita Kumari
- Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Sunanda Biswas
- Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Manoj Menon
- Department of Geography, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - H Pathak
- ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753006, Odisha, India
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Designer Biochars Impact on Corn Grain Yields, Biomass Production, and Fertility Properties of a Highly-Weathered Ultisol. ENVIRONMENTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/environments6060064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There are mixed reports for biochars’ ability to increase corn grain and biomass yields. The objectives of this experiment were to conduct a three-year corn (Zea mays L.) grain and biomass production evaluation to determine soil fertility characteristics after designer biochars were applied to a highly weathered Ultisol. The amendments, which consisted of biochars and compost, were produced from 100% pine chips (PC); 100% poultry litter (PL); PC:PL 2:1 blend; PC mixed 2:1 with raw switchgrass (Panicum virgatum; rSG) compost; and 100% rSG compost. All treatments were applied at 30,000 kg/ha to a Goldsboro loam sandy (Fine-loamy, siliceous, sub-active, thermic Aquic Paleudult). Annual topsoil samples were collected in 5-cm depth increments (0 to 15-cm deep) and pH was measured along with Mehlich 1 phosphorus (M1 P) and potassium (M1 K) contents. After three years of corn production, there was no significant improvement in the annual mean corn grain or biomass yields. Biochar, which was applied from PL and PC:PL 2:1 blend, significantly increased M1 P and M1 K concentrations down to 10-cm deep, while the other biochar and compost treatments showed mixed results when the soil pH was modified. Our results demonstrated that designer biochar additions did not accompany higher corn grain and biomass productivity.
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Novak JM, Ippolito JA, Watts DW, Sigua GC, Ducey TF, Johnson MG. Biochar compost blends facilitate switchgrass growth in mine soils by reducing Cd and Zn bioavailability. BIOCHAR 2019; 1:97-114. [PMID: 35321098 PMCID: PMC8939468 DOI: 10.1007/s42773-019-00004-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Biochars have the potential to reclaim mine-impacted soils; however, their variable physico-chemical properties incite speculation about their successful remediation performance. This investigation examined the capability of biochars produced from three different feedstocks along with a compost blend to improve switchgrass growth conditions in a mine-impacted soil by examining influences on soil pH, grass metal contents, and soil-extractable metal concentrations. Cadmium (Cd)- and zinc (Zn)-contaminated mine soil was collected from a site near Webb City, Missouri, USA-a location within the Tri-State Mining District. In a full factorial design, soil was treated with a 0%, 2.5%, and 5% (w/w) compost mixture (wood chips + beef cattle manure), and 0%, 2.5% and 5% of each biochar pyrolyzed from beef cattle manure, poultry litter, and lodgepole pine feedstocks. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, 'Cave-In-Rock' variety) was grown in a greenhouse for 50 days and the mass of shoots (above-ground biomass) and roots was assessed, while soil pH, deionized H2O- and 0.01 M CaCl2-extractable Cd and Zn concentrations were measured. Poultry litter biochar and compost had the greatest ability to raise soil pH (from 4.40 to 6.61), beef cattle manure biochar and compost moderately raised pH (from 4.4 to 5.92), and lodgepole pine biochar and compost weakly raised pH (from 4.40 to 5.05). Soils treated with beef cattle manure biochar, poultry litter biochar significantly reduced deionized H2O- and 0.01 M CaCl2-extractable Cd and Zn concentrations, while lodgepole pine biochar-treated soils showed mixed results. Switchgrass shoot and root masses were greatest in soil treated with compost in combination with either beef cattle manure biochar or poultry litter biochar. Soils treated with 5% beef cattle manure biochar + 5% compost had greater reductions in total Cd and Zn concentrations measured in switchgrass shoots and roots compared to the other two treatments. The three biochars and compost mixtures applied to heavy metal, mine-impacted soil had considerable performance dissimilarities for improving switchgrass productivity. Switchgrass growth was noticeably improved after treatment with the compost in combination with biochar from beef cattle manure or poultry litter. This may be explained by the increased soil pH that promoted Zn and Cd precipitation and organic functional groups that reduced soil-available heavy metal concentrations. Our results imply that creating designer biochars is an important management component in developing successful mine-site phytostabilization programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Novak
- Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Florence, SC 29501, USA
| | - James A. Ippolito
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Donald W. Watts
- Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Florence, SC 29501, USA
| | - Gilbert C. Sigua
- Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Florence, SC 29501, USA
| | - Thomas F. Ducey
- Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Florence, SC 29501, USA
| | - Mark G. Johnson
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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Velez TI, Moonilall NI, Reed S, Jayachandran K, Scinto LJ. Impact of Melaleuca quinquenervia Biochar on Phaseolus vulgaris Growth, Soil Nutrients, and Microbial Gas Flux. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2018; 47:1487-1495. [PMID: 30512059 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2017.12.0484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Biochar has been heralded for improving soil quality, sequestering C, and converting organic residues into value-added amendments. Biochar research in agricultural settings has been primarily conducted on acidic soils, with few studies evaluating biochar effects on alkaline soils. Given the rise of small-scale, sustainable farmers experimenting with biochar in South Florida's alkaline, carbonaceous soil, this study sought to assess biochar use in South Florida using an invasive plant species as a feedstock. (Cav.) S.T. Blake biomass was converted into biochar to measure how application at two rates, 2 and 5% (w/w), affects plant growth, soil macro- and micronutrients, and microbial gas flux (CO) in a potted greenhouse experiment using L. Plant growth was inhibited with biochar addition at the 2 and 5% rates. Dry shoot, pod weight, and pod length decreased significantly between treatments ( < 0.001). Significant reductions in plant-available P, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn were observed in the 5% biochar soil postharvest ( < 0.05). Compared with the control, addition of biochar at 2 and 5% rates significantly reduced CO flux during the growing season, but not at harvest ( < 0.01). Our results indicate that those considering biochar application in South Florida's alkaline soil should be cautious in selecting feedstock and temperature for biochar production. Biochar can be produced at lower temperatures to decrease pH, but the concomitant increase in volatile matter (VM) is of concern. Although CO flux may have decreased, the deleterious impacts of biochar (pH = 8.12, VM = 26.5%) on production should not be dismissed.
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Enrichment Planting and Soil Amendments Enhance Carbon Sequestration and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agroforestry Systems: A Review. FORESTS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/f9060369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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25
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Dahlawi S, Naeem A, Rengel Z, Naidu R. Biochar application for the remediation of salt-affected soils: Challenges and opportunities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 625:320-335. [PMID: 29289780 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Soil salinization and sodification are two commonly occurring major threats to soil productivity in arable croplands. Salt-affected soils are found in >100 countries, and their distribution is extensive and widespread in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In order to meet the challenges of global food security, it is imperative to bring barren salt-affected soils under cultivation. Various inorganic and organic amendments are used to reclaim the salt-affected lands. The selection of a sustainable ameliorant is largely determined by the site-specific geographical and soil physicochemical parameters. Recently, biochar (solid carbonaceous residue, produced under oxygen-free or oxygen-limited conditions at temperatures ranging from 300 to 1000°C) has attracted considerable attention as a soil amendment. An emerging pool of knowledge shows that biochar addition is effective in improving physical, chemical and biological properties of salt-affected soils. However, some studies have also found an increase in soil salinity and sodicity with biochar application at high rates. Further, the high cost associated with production of biochar and high application rates remains a significant challenge to its widespread use in areas affected by salinity and sodicity. Moreover, there is relatively limited information on the long-term behavior of salt-affected soils subjected to biochar applications. The main objective of the present paper was to review, analyze and discuss the recent studies investigating a role of biochar in improving soil properties and plant growth in salt-affected soils. This review emphasizes that using biochar as an organic amendment for sustainable and profitable use of salt-affected soils would not be practicable as long as low-cost methods for the production of biochar are not devised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Dahlawi
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Institute of Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asif Naeem
- Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zed Rengel
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of Environment (CRC CARE), The University of Newcastle, Australia
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Xiao X, Chen B, Chen Z, Zhu L, Schnoor JL. Insight into Multiple and Multilevel Structures of Biochars and Their Potential Environmental Applications: A Critical Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:5027-5047. [PMID: 29634904 PMCID: PMC6402350 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 314] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Biochar is the carbon-rich product of the pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions, and it has received increasing attention due to its multiple functions in the fields of climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, environmental control, and novel materials. To design a "smart" biochar for environmentally sustainable applications, one must understand recent advances in biochar molecular structures and explore potential applications to generalize upon structure-application relationships. In this review, multiple and multilevel structures of biochars are interpreted based on their elemental compositions, phase components, surface properties, and molecular structures. Applications such as carbon fixators, fertilizers, sorbents, and carbon-based materials are highlighted based on the biochar multilevel structures as well as their structure-application relationships. Further studies are suggested for more detailed biochar structural analysis and separation and for the combination of macroscopic and microscopic information to develop a higher-level biochar structural design for selective applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xiao
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Baoliang Chen
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Corresponding Author: B. Chen. Phone: 0086-571-88982587; fax: 0086-571-88982587;
| | - Zaiming Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Lizhong Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jerald L. Schnoor
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
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Rasul F, Ahmad A, Arif M, Mian IA, Ali K, Qayyum MF, Hussain Q, Aon M, Latif S, Sakrabani R, Saghir M, Pan G, Shackley S. Biochar for Agriculture in Pakistan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-48006-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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Xu G, Zhang Y, Sun J, Shao H. Negative interactive effects between biochar and phosphorus fertilization on phosphorus availability and plant yield in saline sodic soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 568:910-915. [PMID: 27328879 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the interactive effects between biochar application and phosphorus (P) fertilization on plant growth and P uptake. For this purpose, five wheat straw biochars (produced at 25°C, 300°C, 400°C, 500°C and 600°C for 4h) with equal P (36mgkg(-1)) amount, with and without additional P fertilization (100mgkg(-1)) were applied in a pot experiment to investigate the growth of Suaeda salsa and their uptake of P from biochar and P fertilization amended saline sodic soil. Soil P fractions, dry matter yield, and plant P concentrations were determined after harvesting 90days. Our results confirmed that relatively lower pyrolysis temperature (<400°C) biochar retained P availability and increased plant growth. The plant P concentration was significantly correlated with NaHCO3-Pi (P<0.05), and NaOH-Pi (P<0.1) during early incubation time (4days) for biochar amended soil. As revealed by statistical analysis, a significant (P<0.05) negative (antagonistic) interaction occurred between biochar and P fertilization on the biomass production and plant P concentration. For plant biomass, the effects size of biochar (B), P, and their interaction followed the order of B×P (0.819)>B (0.569)≈P (0.568) based on the partial Eta squared values whereas the order changed as P (0.782)>B (0.562)>B×P (0.515) for plant P concentration. When biochar and P fertilization applied together, phosphate precipitation/sorption reaction occurred in saline sodic soil which explained the decreased plant P availability and plant yield in saline sodic soil. The negative interaction effects between biochar and P fertilization indicated limited utility value of biochar application in saline sodic soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - You Zhang
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junna Sun
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; School of Life Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
| | - Hongbo Shao
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Institute of Agro-Biotechnology, Jiangsu Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China.
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29
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Yu CL, Hui D, Deng Q, Wang J, Reddy KC, Dennis S. Responses of corn physiology and yield to six agricultural practices over three years in middle Tennessee. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27504. [PMID: 27272142 PMCID: PMC4895137 DOI: 10.1038/srep27504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Different agricultural practices may have substantial impacts on crop physiology and yield. However, it is still not entirely clear how multiple agricultural practices such as tillage, biochar and different nutrient applications could influence corn physiology and yield. We conducted a three-year field experiment to study the responses of corn physiology, yield, and soil respiration to six different agricultural practices. The six treatments included conventional tillage (CT) or no tillage (NT), in combination with nitrogen type (URAN or chicken litter) and application method, biochar, or denitrification inhibitor. A randomized complete block design was applied with six replications. Leaf photosynthetic rate, transpiration, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), biomass, and yield were measured. Results showed that different agricultural practices had significant effects on plant leaf photosynthesis, transpiration, soil respiration, height, and yield, but not on LAI and biomass. The average corn yield in the NT-URAN was 10.03 ton/ha, 28.9% more than in the CT-URAN. Compared to the NT-URAN, the NT-biochar had lower soil respiration and similar yield. All variables measured showed remarkable variations among the three years. Our results indicated that no tillage treatment substantially increased corn yield, probably due to the preservation of soil moisture during drought periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Li Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
| | - Dafeng Hui
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
| | - Qi Deng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
| | - Junming Wang
- Climate and Atmospheric Science Section, Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61802, USA
| | - K. Chandra Reddy
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
| | - Sam Dennis
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA
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30
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Elzobair KA, Stromberger ME, Ippolito JA. Stabilizing effect of biochar on soil extracellular enzymes after a denaturing stress. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 142:114-119. [PMID: 25840745 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Stabilizing extracellular enzymes may maintain enzymatic activity while protecting enzymes from proteolysis and denaturation. A study determined whether a fast pyrolysis hardwood biochar (CQuest™) would reduce evaporative losses, subsequently stabilizing soil extracellular enzymes and prohibiting potential enzymatic activity loss following a denaturing stress (microwaving). Soil was incubated in the presence of biochar (0%, 1%, 2%, 5%, or 10% by wt.) for 36 days and then exposed to microwave energies (0, 400, 800, 1600, or 3200 J g(-1) soil). Soil enzymes (β-glucosidase, β-d-cellobiosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, β-xylosidase) were analyzed by fluorescence-based assays. Biochar amendment reduced leucine aminopeptidase and β-xylosidase potential activity after the incubation period and prior to stress exposure. The 10% biochar rate reduced soil water loss at the lowest stress level (400 J microwave energy g(-1) soil). Enzyme stabilization was demonstrated for β-xylosidase; intermediate biochar application rates prevented a complete loss of this enzyme's potential activity after soil was exposed to 400 (1% biochar treatment) or 1600 (5% biochar treatment) J microwave energy g(-1) soil. Remaining enzyme potential activities were not affected by biochar, and activities decreased with increasing stress levels. We concluded that biochar has the potential to reduce evaporative soil water losses and stabilize certain extracellular enzymes where activity is maintained after a denaturing stress; this effect was biochar rate and enzyme dependent. While biochar may reduce the potential activity of certain soil extracellular enzymes, this phenomenon was not universal as the majority of enzymes assayed in this study were unaffected by exposure to biochar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid A Elzobair
- Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170, United States
| | - Mary E Stromberger
- Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170, United States.
| | - James A Ippolito
- USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID 83341, United States
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31
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Ippolito JA, Ducey TF, Cantrell KB, Novak JM, Lentz RD. Designer, acidic biochar influences calcareous soil characteristics. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 142:184-91. [PMID: 26077798 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.05.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In a proof-of-concept study, an acidic (pH 5.8) biochar was created using a low pyrolysis temperature (350 °C) and steam activation (800 °C) to potentially improve the soil physicochemical status of an eroded calcareous soil. Biochar was added at 0%, 1%, 2%, and 10% (by wt.) and soils were destructively sampled at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 month intervals. Soil was analyzed for gravimetric water content, pH, NO3-N, plant-available Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and P, organic C, CO2 respiration, and microbial enumeration via extractable DNA and 16S rRNA gene copies. Gravimetric soil water content increased with biochar application regardless of rate, as compared to the control. Soil pH decreased between 0.2 and 0.4 units, while plant-available Zn, Mn, and P increased with increasing biochar application rate. Micronutrient availability decreased over time likely due to insoluble mineral species precipitation. Increasing biochar application raised the soil organic C content and remained elevated over time. Increasing biochar application rate also increased respired CO2, yet the CO2 released decreased over time. Soil NO3-N concentrations significantly decreased with increasing biochar application rate likely due to microbial immobilization or denitrification. Depending on application rate, biochar produced a 1.4 to 2.1-fold increase in soil DNA extracted and 1.4- to 2.4-fold increase in 16S rRNA gene abundance over control soils, suggesting microbial stimulation and a subsequent burst of activity upon biochar addition. Our results showed that there is promise in designing a biochar to improve the quality and water relations of eroded calcareous soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Ippolito
- Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Kimberly, ID, United States.
| | - T F Ducey
- Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Florence, SC, United States
| | - K B Cantrell
- Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Florence, SC, United States
| | - J M Novak
- Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Florence, SC, United States
| | - R D Lentz
- Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Kimberly, ID, United States
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32
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Ippolito JA, Stromberger ME, Lentz RD, Dungan RS. Hardwood biochar and manure co-application to a calcareous soil. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 142:84-91. [PMID: 26009473 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 05/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Biochar may affect the mineralization rate of labile organic C sources such as manures via microbial community shifts, and subsequently affect nutrient release. In order to ascertain the positive or negative priming effect of biochar on manure, dairy manure (2% by wt.) and a hardwood-based, fast pyrolysis biochar were applied (0%, 1%, 2%, and 10% by wt.) to a calcareous soil. Destructive sampling occurred at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 months to monitor for changes in soil chemistry, water content, microbial respiration, bacterial populations, and microbial community structure. Overall results showed that increasing biochar application rate improved the soil water content, which may be beneficial in limited irrigation or rainfall areas. Biochar application increased soil organic C content and plant-available Fe and Mn, while a synergistic biochar-manure effect increased plant-available Zn. Compared to the other rates, the 10% biochar application lowered concentrations of NO3-N; effects appeared masked at lower biochar rates due to manure application. Over time, soil NO3-N increased likely due to manure N mineralization, yet soil NO3-N in the 10% biochar rate remained lower as compared to other treatments. In the presence of manure, only the 10% biochar application caused subtle microbial community structure shifts by increasing the relative amounts of two fatty acids associated with Gram-negative bacteria and decreasing Gram-positive bacterial fatty acids, each by ∼1%. Our previous findings with biochar alone suggested an overall negative priming effect with increasing biochar application rates, yet when co-applied with manure the negative priming effect was eliminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Ippolito
- USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, 3793 N. 3600E, Kimberly, ID 83341, United States.
| | - M E Stromberger
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170, United States
| | - R D Lentz
- USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, 3793 N. 3600E, Kimberly, ID 83341, United States
| | - R S Dungan
- USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, 3793 N. 3600E, Kimberly, ID 83341, United States
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Elzobair KA, Stromberger ME, Ippolito JA, Lentz RD. Contrasting effects of biochar versus manure on soil microbial communities and enzyme activities in an Aridisol. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 142:145-52. [PMID: 26138708 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Biochar can increase microbial activity, alter microbial community structure, and increase soil fertility in arid and semi-arid soils, but at relatively high rates that may be impractical for large-scale field studies. This contrasts with organic amendments such as manure, which can be abundant and inexpensive if locally available, and thus can be applied to fields at greater rates than biochar. In a field study comparing biochar and manure, a fast pyrolysis hardwood biochar (22.4 Mg ha(-1)), dairy manure (42 Mg ha(-1) dry wt), a combination of biochar and manure at the aforementioned rates, or no amendment (control) was applied to an Aridisol (n=3) in fall 2008. Plots were annually cropped to corn (Zea maize L.). Surface soils (0-30 cm) were sampled directly under corn plants in late June 2009 and early August 2012, and assayed for microbial community fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles and six extracellular enzyme activities involved in soil C, N, and P cycling. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonization was assayed in corn roots in 2012. Biochar had no effect on microbial biomass, community structure, extracellular enzyme activities, or AM fungi root colonization of corn. In the short-term, manure amendment increased microbial biomass, altered microbial community structure, and significantly reduced the relative concentration of the AM fungal biomass in soil. Manure also reduced the percent root colonization of corn by AM fungi in the longer-term. Thus, biochar and manure had contrasting short-term effects on soil microbial communities, perhaps because of the relatively low application rate of biochar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid A Elzobair
- Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170, United States.
| | - Mary E Stromberger
- Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170, United States.
| | - James A Ippolito
- USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID 83341, United States.
| | - Rodrick D Lentz
- USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID 83341, United States.
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El-Naggar AH, Usman ARA, Al-Omran A, Ok YS, Ahmad M, Al-Wabel MI. Carbon mineralization and nutrient availability in calcareous sandy soils amended with woody waste biochar. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 138:67-73. [PMID: 26037818 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have reported the positive effect of biochar on soil carbon sequestration and soil fertility improvement in acidic soils. However, biochar may have different impacts on calcareous sandy soils. A 90-day incubation experiment was conducted to quantify the effects of woody waste biochar (10 g kg(-1)) on CO2-C emissions, K2SO4-extractable C and macro-(N, P and K) and micro-(Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) nutrient availability in the presence or absence of poultry manure (5 g kg(-1) soil). The following six treatments were applied: (1) conocarpus (Conocarpus erectus L.) waste (CW), (2) conocarpus biochar (BC), (3) poultry manure (PM), (4) PM+CW, (5) PM+BC and (6) untreated soil (CK). Poultry manure increased CO2-C emissions and K2SO4-extractable C, and the highest increases in CO2-C emission rate and cumulative CO2-C and K2SO4-extractable C were observed for the PM+CW treatment. On the contrary, treatments with BC halted the CO2-C emission rate, indicating that the contribution of BC to CO2-C emissions is negligible compared with the soils amended with CW and PM. Furthermore, the combined addition of PM+BC increased available N, P and K compared with the PM or BC treatments. Overall, the incorporation of biochar into calcareous soils might have benefits in carbon sequestration and soil fertility improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H El-Naggar
- Soil Sciences Department, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, 68 Hadayek Shobra, P.O. Box 11241, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Adel R A Usman
- Soil Sciences Department, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Department of Soils and Water, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Abdulrasoul Al-Omran
- Soil Sciences Department, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, South Korea
| | - Mahtab Ahmad
- Soil Sciences Department, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad I Al-Wabel
- Soil Sciences Department, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
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Bradley A, Larson RA, Runge T. Effect of Wood Biochar in Manure-Applied Sand Columns on Leachate Quality. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2015; 44:1720-1728. [PMID: 26641323 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2015.04.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural operations can pose a threat to the quality of nearby water sources particularly from nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses following land application of manure. Biochar application to soils has the potential to ameliorate degraded soils and reduce nutrient leaching to groundwater. The effects of amending sand soil columns with hybrid poplar biochar ( spp.) made by a slow-pyrolysis process at 450°C at varying rates (0, 1, 2, and 5% by weight) with repeated dairy manure applications over a 56-wk period was examined to evaluate the impact to leachate water quality. Increasing levels of biochar decreased cumulative levels of total N (TN) by 21 to 59%, nitrate (NO-N) by 17 to 46%, and ammonia (NH-N + NH-N) by 46 to 90% in leachate but increased cumulative leaching of total P (TP). Overall leachate pH was increased and peak levels of 5-d biological oxygen demand (BOD) in leachate after manure application were decreased with increasing levels of biochar amendment. The results from this study indicate that biochar amendments could be effective in reducing nitrogen leaching from soils, though further study is needed to determine practical application in a field setting.
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Deng Q, Hui D, Wang J, Iwuozo S, Yu CL, Jima T, Smart D, Reddy C, Dennis S. Corn Yield and Soil Nitrous Oxide Emission under Different Fertilizer and Soil Management: A Three-Year Field Experiment in Middle Tennessee. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125406. [PMID: 25923716 PMCID: PMC4414621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A three-year field experiment was conducted to examine the responses of corn yield and soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission to various management practices in middle Tennessee. Methodology/Principal Findings The management practices include no-tillage + regular applications of urea ammonium nitrate (NT-URAN); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + denitrification inhibitor (NT-inhibitor); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + biochar (NT-biochar); no-tillage + 20% applications of URAN + chicken litter (NT-litter), no-tillage + split applications of URAN (NT-split); and conventional tillage + regular applications of URAN as a control (CT-URAN). Fertilizer equivalent to 217 kg N ha-1 was applied to each of the experimental plots. Results showed that no-tillage (NT-URAN) significantly increased corn yield by 28% over the conventional tillage (CT-URAN) due to soil water conservation. The management practices significantly altered soil N2O emission, with the highest in the CT-URAN (0.48 mg N2O m-2 h-1) and the lowest in the NT-inhibitor (0.20 mg N2O m-2 h-1) and NT-biochar (0.16 mg N2O m-2 h-1) treatments. Significant exponential relationships between soil N2O emission and water filled pore space were revealed in all treatments. However, variations in soil N2O emission among the treatments were positively correlated with the moisture sensitivity of soil N2O emission that likely reflects an interactive effect between soil properties and WFPS. Conclusion/Significance Our results indicated that improved fertilizer and soil management have the potential to maintain highly productive corn yield while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Deng
- College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, United States of America
| | - Dafeng Hui
- College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Junming Wang
- Climate Science Section, Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61802, United States of America
| | - Stephen Iwuozo
- College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, United States of America
| | - Chih-Li Yu
- College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, United States of America
| | - Tigist Jima
- College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, United States of America
| | - David Smart
- Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States of America
| | - Chandra Reddy
- College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, United States of America
| | - Sam Dennis
- College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, United States of America
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Calderón FJ, Benjamin J, Vigil MF. A comparison of corn (Zea mays L.) residue and its biochar on soil C and plant growth. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121006. [PMID: 25836653 PMCID: PMC4383588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to properly determine the value of charring crop residues, the C use efficiency and effects on crop performance of biochar needs to be compared to the un-charred crop residues. In this study we compared the addition of corn stalks to soil, with equivalent additions of charred (300 °C and 500 °C) corn residues. Two experiments were conducted: a long term laboratory mineralization, and a growth chamber trial with proso millet plants. In the laboratory, we measured soil mineral N dynamics, C use efficiency, and soil organic matter (SOM) chemical changes via infrared spectroscopy. The 300 °C biochar decreased plant biomass relative to a nothing added control. The 500°C biochar had little to no effect on plant biomass. With incubation we measured lower soil NO3 content in the corn stalk treatment than in the biochar-amended soils, suggesting that the millet growth reduction in the stalk treatment was mainly driven by N limitation, whereas other factors contributed to the biomass yield reductions in the biochar treatments. Corn stalks had a C sequestration use efficiency of up to 0.26, but charring enhanced C sequestration to values that ranged from 0.64 to 1.0. Infrared spectroscopy of the soils as they mineralized showed that absorbance at 3400, 2925-2850, 1737 cm-1, and 1656 cm-1 decreased during the incubation and can be regarded as labile SOM, corn residue, or biochar bands. Absorbances near 1600, 1500-1420, and 1345 cm-1 represented the more refractory SOM moieties. Our results show that adding crop residue biochar to soil is a sound C sequestration technology compared to letting the crop residues decompose in the field. This is because the resistance to decomposition of the chars after soil amendment offsets any C losses during charring of the crop residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Calderón
- USDA-ARS, 40335 Co Rd GG., Central Great Plains Research Station, Akron, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Joseph Benjamin
- USDA-ARS, 40335 Co Rd GG., Central Great Plains Research Station, Akron, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Merle F. Vigil
- USDA-ARS, 40335 Co Rd GG., Central Great Plains Research Station, Akron, Colorado, United States of America
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Xu CY, Hosseini-Bai S, Hao Y, Rachaputi RCN, Wang H, Xu Z, Wallace H. Effect of biochar amendment on yield and photosynthesis of peanut on two types of soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:6112-25. [PMID: 25395326 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3820-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Biochar has significant potential to improve crop performance. This study examined the effect of biochar application on the photosynthesis and yield of peanut crop grown on two soil types. The commercial peanut cultivar Middleton was grown on red ferrosol and redoxi-hydrosol (Queensland, Australia) amended with a peanut shell biochar gradient (0, 0.375, 0.750, 1.50, 3.00 and 6.00%, w/w, equivalent up to 85 t ha(-1)) in a glasshouse pot experiment. Biomass and pod yield, photosynthesis-[CO2] response parameters, leaf characteristics and soil properties (carbon, nitrogen (N) and nutrients) were quantified. Biochar significantly improved peanut biomass and pod yield up to 2- and 3-folds respectively in red ferrosol and redoxi-hydrosol. A modest (but significant) biochar-induced improvement of the maximum electron transport rate and saturating photosynthetic rate was observed for red ferrosol. This response was correlated to increased leaf N and accompanied with improved soil available N and biological N fixation. Biochar application also improved the availability of other soil nutrients, which appeared critical in improving peanut performance, especially on infertile redoxi-hydrosol. Our study suggests that application of peanut shell derived biochar has strong potential to improve peanut yield on red ferrosol and redoxi-hydrosol. Biochar soil amendment can affect leaf N status and photosynthesis, but the effect varied with soil type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yuan Xu
- Environmental Futures Research Institute and School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia,
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Mohanty SK, Boehm AB. Escherichia coli removal in biochar-augmented biofilter: effect of infiltration rate, initial bacterial concentration, biochar particle size, and presence of compost. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:11535-11542. [PMID: 25222640 DOI: 10.1021/es5033162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Bioretention systems and biofilters are used in low impact development to passively treat urban stormwater. However, these engineered natural systems are not efficient at removing fecal indicator bacteria, the contaminants responsible for a majority of surface water impairments. The present study investigates the efficacy of biochar-augmented model sand biofilters for Escherichia coli removal under a variety of stormwater bacterial concentrations and infiltration rates. Additionally, we test the role of biochar particle size and "presence of compost on model" biofilter performance. Our results show that E. coli removal in a biochar-augmented sand biofilter is ∼ 96% and is not greatly affected by increases in stormwater infiltration rates and influent bacterial concentrations, particularly within the ranges expected in field. Removal of fine (<125 μm) biochar particles from the biochar-sand biofilter decreased the removal capacity from 95% to 62%, indicating biochar size is important. Addition of compost to biochar-sand biofilters not only lowered E. coli removal capacity but also increased the mobilization of deposited bacteria during intermittent infiltration. This result is attributed to exhaustion of attachment sites on biochar by the dissolved organic carbon leached from compost. Overall, our study indicates that biochar has potential to remove bacteria from stormwater under a wide range of field conditions, but for biochar to be effective, the size should be small and biochar should be applied without compost. Although the results aid in the optimization of biofilter design, further studies are needed to examine biochar potential in the field over an entire rainy season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay K Mohanty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305, United States
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Ippolito JA, Stromberger ME, Lentz RD, Dungan RS. Hardwood biochar influences calcareous soil physicochemical and microbiological status. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2014; 43:681-689. [PMID: 25602669 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2013.08.0324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The effects of biochar application to calcareous soils are not well documented. In a laboratory incubation study, a hardwood-based, fast pyrolysis biochar was applied (0, 1, 2, and 10% by weight) to a calcareous soil. Changes in soil chemistry, water content, microbial respiration, and microbial community structure were monitored over a 12-mo period. Increasing the biochar application rate increased the water-holding capacity of the soil-biochar blend, a trait that could be beneficial under water-limited situations. Biochar application also caused an increase in plant-available Fe and Mn, soil C content, soil respiration rates, and bacterial populations and a decrease in soil NO-N concentration. Biochar rates of 2 and 10% altered the relative proportions of bacterial and fungal fatty acids and shifted the microbial community toward greater relative amounts of bacteria and fewer fungi. The ratio of fatty acid 19:0 cy to its precursor, 18:1ω7c, was higher in the 10% biochar rate soil than in all other soils, potentially indicating an environmental stress response. The 10% application rate of this particular biochar was extreme, causing the greatest change in microbial community structure, a physiological response to stress in Gram-negative bacteria, and a drastic reduction in soil NO-N (85-97% reduction compared with the control), all of which were sustained over time.
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Kumari KGID, Moldrup P, Paradelo M, Elsgaard L, Hauggaard-Nielsen H, de Jonge LW. Effects of biochar on air and water permeability and colloid and phosphorus leaching in soils from a natural calcium carbonate gradient. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2014; 43:647-657. [PMID: 25602666 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2013.08.0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Application of biochar to agricultural fields to improve soil quality has increased in popularity in recent years, but limited attention is generally paid to existing field conditions before biochar application. This study examined the short-term physicochemical effects of biochar amendment in an agricultural field in Denmark with a calcium carbonate (CaCO) gradient. The field comprised four reference plots and four plots to which biochar (birch wood pyrolyzed at 500°C) was applied at a rate of 20 t ha. Five undisturbed soil columns (10 cm diam., 8 cm height) were sampled from each plot 7 mo after biochar application, and a series of leaching experiments was conducted. The leachate was analyzed for tritium (used as a tracer), colloids, and phosphorus concentration. The results revealed that the presence of CaCO has resulted in marked changes in soil structure (bulk density) and soil chemical properties (e.g., pH and ionic strength), which significantly affected air and water transport and colloid and phosphorous leaching. In denser soils (bulk density, 1.57-1.69 g cm) preferential flow dominated the transport and caused an enhanced movement of air and water, whereas in less dense soils (bulk density, 1.38-1.52 g cm) matrix flow predominated the transport. Compared with reference soils, biochar-amended soils showed slightly lower air permeability and a shorter travel time for 5% of the applied tracer (tritium) to leach through the soil columns. Colloid and phosphorus leaching was observed to be time dependent in soils with low CaCO. Biochar-amended soils showed higher colloid and P release than reference soils. Field-scale variations in total colloid and P leaching reflected clear effects of changes in pH and ionic strength due to the presence of CaCO. There was a linear relationship between colloid and P concentrations in the leachate, suggesting that colloid-facilitated P leaching was the dominant P transport mechanism.
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Biederman LA, Harpole WS. Biochar and its effects on plant productivity and nutrient cycling: a meta-analysis. GCB BIOENERGY 2013; 5:202-214. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 381] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lori A. Biederman
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology; Iowa State University; 251 Bessey Hall; Ames; IA; 50011; USA
| | - W. Stanley Harpole
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology; Iowa State University; 251 Bessey Hall; Ames; IA; 50011; USA
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Ippolito JA, Laird DA, Busscher WJ. Environmental benefits of biochar. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2012; 41:967-972. [PMID: 22751039 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2012.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and improving environmental quality by reducing soil nutrient leaching losses, reducing bioavailability of environmental contaminants, sequestering C, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing crop productivity in highly weathered or degraded soils, has been the goal of agroecosystem researchers and producers for years. Biochar, produced by pyrolysis of biomass, may help attain these goals. The desire to advance understanding of the environmental and agronomic implication of biochar utilization led to the organization of the 2010 American Society of Agronomy-Soil Science Society of America Environmental Quality Division session titled "Biochar Effects on the Environment and Agricultural Productivity." This specialized session and sessions from other biochar conferences, such as the 2010 U.S. Biochar Initiative and the Biochar Symposium 2010 are the sources for this special manuscript collection. Individual contributions address improvement of the biochar knowledge base, current information gaps, and future biochar research needs. The prospect of biochar utilization is promising, as biochars may be customized for specific environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Ippolito
- Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab., Kimberly, ID, USA.
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